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The potential stars of Pyeongchang

From wonderkids to nervous Norwegians, the upcoming Winter Olympics have plenty of athletes to keep an eye on. We pick out a few of the ones to watch ahead of the Games, which begin in less than a fortnight.

Mikaela Shiffrin: The wunderkind of downhill

Wunderkinds require challenges in order to flourish and Mikaela Shiffrin is no exception. The now-22-year-old downhill skier won gold in the slalom in Sochi in 2014, but that was only meant to be the beginning. In Pyeongchang, the American plans to compete in all five skiing disciplines, a challenge that could prove to be too much, even for her.

Marcel Hirscher: Trophy hunter

Marcel Hirscher's trophy case must be big enough to take up an entire room by now. The Austrian has won 54 World Cup races and the overall World Cup title six times. The only thing missing from his collection is an Olympic gold medal. This is a shortcoming that he is aiming to rectify in Pyeongchang. "If it works, out that would be great, really awesome," he has been quoted as saying.

Marit Bjorgen: Champion athlete and mom

She's been there, done that, has the t-shirt. Marjit Bjorgen skipped all competitions for more than a month in the run-up to the Olympics. The world's most successful woman in cross-country skiing knows her body and what it needs to be ready. Maybe she just wanted to spend more time with her young son Marius. With six Olympic gold medals to her name, whatever happens in Pyeongchang is just gravy.

Martin Fourcade: No more self doubt

In his autobiography Ma reve d'or et de neige (My dream of gold and snow) French biathlete Martin Fourcade wrote of the self doubt that long accompanied him in his career. In Sochi he banished this by winning two gold medals. The six-time overall World Cup champion will be the man to beat in Pyeongchang. "I'll give my all for victory," he recently said.

Lindsey Vonn: Having a ball on the slopes

In terms of World Cup races won (79), Lindsey Vonn, 33, is the best women's downhill skier in history. The American has also won four World Cup titles and two Olympic medals, including one gold. So what motivates her in the twilight of her career? Fun! Vonn lives to ski, and this should be her last Games. But can Pyeongchang compensate for Sochi, which she missed due to one of her many injuries?

Aksel Lund Svindal: Nervous Norwegian

Despite the fact that Aksel Lund Svindal has seen it all, he still gets nervous before a race. However, he needs a bit of tension to be at his best on the downhill slopes. His career has often been marred by injury, although he has often been spectacularly successful. Can he make his final Olympics his crowning achievement? Another gold medal would add nicely to the one he won at Whistler in 2010.

Rachel Howan: Precision on ice

Rachel Homan is to skip the Canadian's women's curling team in Pyongyang. The 28-year-old is Canada's youngest three-time winner of the national championship, the Scotties Tournament of Hearts (2013, 2014, 2017) of either gender. Homan, who has a degree in human kinetics, is all about precision on this ice. Can she win her first Olympic gold medal in Pyeongchang?

Sven Kramer: Ronaldo of the Netherlands

You could call Sven Kramer the Cristiano Ronaldo of the Netherlands. Every Dutch child knows his name, some even have his poster hanging over their beds. He also earns a seven-figure salary and his commercials are all over Dutch TV. The 38-time world champion and three-time Olympic champion is the most successful speed skater of all time. He'll be the one to beat in South Korea.

Kamil Stoch: Polish pop star

Kamil Stoch is said to have landed a jump of 128 meters when he was just 12 years old. He's been blessed with a lot of talent and despite his slight build he is a favorite among the Polish fans. The ski jumper is a pop star in his homeland, where he is even better known that Robert Lewandowski. Can he repeat his double gold medal performance from Sochi?

Mikaela Shiffrin: The wunderkind of downhill

Wunderkinds require challenges in order to flourish and Mikaela Shiffrin is no exception. The now-22-year-old downhill skier won gold in the slalom in Sochi in 2014, but that was only meant to be the beginning. In Pyeongchang, the American plans to compete in all five skiing disciplines, a challenge that could prove to be too much, even for her.

Marcel Hirscher: Trophy hunter

Marcel Hirscher's trophy case must be big enough to take up an entire room by now. The Austrian has won 54 World Cup races and the overall World Cup title six times. The only thing missing from his collection is an Olympic gold medal. This is a shortcoming that he is aiming to rectify in Pyeongchang. "If it works, out that would be great, really awesome," he has been quoted as saying.

Marit Bjorgen: Champion athlete and mom

She's been there, done that, has the t-shirt. Marjit Bjorgen skipped all competitions for more than a month in the run-up to the Olympics. The world's most successful woman in cross-country skiing knows her body and what it needs to be ready. Maybe she just wanted to spend more time with her young son Marius. With six Olympic gold medals to her name, whatever happens in Pyeongchang is just gravy.

Martin Fourcade: No more self doubt

In his autobiography Ma reve d'or et de neige (My dream of gold and snow) French biathlete Martin Fourcade wrote of the self doubt that long accompanied him in his career. In Sochi he banished this by winning two gold medals. The six-time overall World Cup champion will be the man to beat in Pyeongchang. "I'll give my all for victory," he recently said.

Lindsey Vonn: Having a ball on the slopes

In terms of World Cup races won (79), Lindsey Vonn, 33, is the best women's downhill skier in history. The American has also won four World Cup titles and two Olympic medals, including one gold. So what motivates her in the twilight of her career? Fun! Vonn lives to ski, and this should be her last Games. But can Pyeongchang compensate for Sochi, which she missed due to one of her many injuries?

Aksel Lund Svindal: Nervous Norwegian

Despite the fact that Aksel Lund Svindal has seen it all, he still gets nervous before a race. However, he needs a bit of tension to be at his best on the downhill slopes. His career has often been marred by injury, although he has often been spectacularly successful. Can he make his final Olympics his crowning achievement? Another gold medal would add nicely to the one he won at Whistler in 2010.

Rachel Howan: Precision on ice

Rachel Homan is to skip the Canadian's women's curling team in Pyongyang. The 28-year-old is Canada's youngest three-time winner of the national championship, the Scotties Tournament of Hearts (2013, 2014, 2017) of either gender. Homan, who has a degree in human kinetics, is all about precision on this ice. Can she win her first Olympic gold medal in Pyeongchang?

Sven Kramer: Ronaldo of the Netherlands

You could call Sven Kramer the Cristiano Ronaldo of the Netherlands. Every Dutch child knows his name, some even have his poster hanging over their beds. He also earns a seven-figure salary and his commercials are all over Dutch TV. The 38-time world champion and three-time Olympic champion is the most successful speed skater of all time. He'll be the one to beat in South Korea.

Kamil Stoch: Polish pop star

Kamil Stoch is said to have landed a jump of 128 meters when he was just 12 years old. He's been blessed with a lot of talent and despite his slight build he is a favorite among the Polish fans. The ski jumper is a pop star in his homeland, where he is even better known that Robert Lewandowski. Can he repeat his double gold medal performance from Sochi?